Paralyzed Texas teen welcomed home after diving accident

PFLUGERVILLE, Texas -- A summer pool party turned into a tragedy for a Round Rock teenager.

Patrick Messer is now back at home after a dive into the water changed his life.

The 13-year-old is paralyzed after he dove into water less than 4 feet deep. He's been in a Houston hospital since June, but now he's back home. His sights are set on playing football again.

A room full of familiar faces greeted him Thursday evening, where a surprise party was thrown at his mother's Pflugerville home. The 8th grader is in a wheelchair now, after a pool party at his sister's house took a turn for the worse.

"While I was in the water, I just like started praying and saying, 'I'm not ready to go,'" he said.

He dove in the water, only 3'6"deep and broke his neck.

"I felt like my whole body was numb, I couldn't feel from the neck down," he said.

"He looked up at me and said 'Daddy, I'm sorry,' and it just got really emotional after that," said his father, Patrick Messer Sr.

He's always been close with his dad, who's been by his side as football coach on the field and now in the hospital.

"I break down a lot of times because I think about the future. I just leave it in God's hands, that's all we can do. There's no choice. It's in God's hands. He's got a plan," Messer said.

Patrick spent three weeks in ICU where he had back surgery, then he went to rehab for a month after that. He can already move his right arm, but he said his goals are much bigger.

"My goal is to get back, get back walking and play football again," he said.

A Pray for Patrick Facebook page already has nearly 2,000 followers, some he doesn't even know. He says support from friends and family, including his four sisters who stay close by his side, helps get him through.

"I'm going to stay strong, and I'm going to make it through this," he said.

Patrick's family will see years of medical costs, and they're trying to raise funds for a handicapped van as well. To find out how you can help, contact his father via email at messerp@yahoo.com.